The Big Sick review: Sweet and charming comedy inspired by a real-life love affair

The Big Sick (Cert 15; 120mins) 

Inspired by the real-life love affair between Pakistani-born stand-up comic Kumail Nanjiani and his American girlfriend Emily, The Big Sick confidently veers between the funny and the serious to create that rarest of creatures: a film in which you really care about the characters.

Nanjiani’s comedy background means the film initially seems a little slick and self-satisfied with every conversation seemingly designed to set up a gag.

He is also a little too old to be playing his younger self but any reservations fall by the wayside as you become invested in the reluctant couple and the boisterous families that surround them.

Kumail is an Uber driver and stand-up comic in a small-time Chicago club when he meets therapist Emily (Zoe Kazan) who introduces herself with an enthusiastic heckle.

 There is an instant connection. They’re relaxed and comfortable together, quickly sliding into affectionate teasing.

He invites her to watch movies including Night Of The Living Dead and she responds with a sarcastic, “I love it when men test me on my taste.” Kumail and Emily seem perfect together but both of them are wary of committing to a relationship.

Kumail is going through the motions of pleasing his family by meeting the assembly line of candidates deemed perfect for an arranged marriage. 

Emily claims that she is, “Not really dating at the moment.” But everything changes when Emily is rushed to hospital with a mysterious illness and Kumail begins a bedside vigil.

He also finally comes face to face with Emily’s parents Beth (Holly Hunter) and Terry (Ray Romano).

Beth in particular is not afraid to say exactly what she feels and Hunter is on top form as a straight-talking woman with a big heart. The performances are impressive throughout The Big Sick and pitched at just the right level.

 The relationship between Kumail and Emily is very believable and his parents are suitably larger than life with mother Sharmeen (Zenobia Shroff) constantly parading potential wives who just happen to drop by when Kumail is guaranteed to be paying a visit.

The easy banter and warm affection would be sufficient to make The Big Sick pleasant viewing but it succeeds by going the extra mile. Nanjiani wades into some weighty issues from the need to be true to yourself to the sensitivities of being a migrant making a new life in a foreign land.

“Why did you bring me here if you don’t want me to have an American life?” he demands of his traditionalist parents. He even dares to joke about 9/11. It may not be perfect but The Big Sick is smart and witty and likely to be the summer’s finest romantic comedy.